Justin Timberlake in Montreal - Giddyup!

So, 17 years ago I went to see New Kids on the Block at the Montreal Forum. There were like 20,000 screaming girls there between the ages of 7 and 20. Last night I went to see Justin Timberlake at the Montreal Centre Bell, and there were like 23,000 screaming women between the ages of 24 and 40. So, basically I went to see a former boy band member rock the same crowd of women who I saw NKOTB with, but all growed up.

I had the best fricking time. No, really? I went to this concert alone. I had one ticket. Who goes to a concert alone? Apparently, me and the sketchy guy sitting in section 114, row M, seat 15. S'all I'm saying about that. I didn't really expect to have a great time, but I did. I danced and sang and pretended like I was in my kitchen watching something happening in my backyard (cause I was really that close to him).

Justin Timberlake is a showman. He made a concert into a true event, and I loved every minute of it. I've embedded some video clips so you can see what I'm talking about.

First, the stage: it was a combination of a celtic cross and a ninja fighting star. Components of it moved up and down to highlight the musicians or tuck them away. The ends of the cross were surrounded by two cutout areas that were, yes kids, a bar. With beer. I could see it from where I was, and yes, I was a little jealous but since those people paid $500 for their tickets and I paid $86, I'm not that jealous. They could, however, touch Justin and I'm pretty sure that one of the clips in this post was shot from that section. My favourite part about the stage? The instruments were gathered onto platforms which moved around the stage kind of like hovercrafts. Very cool.

Next, the music: The man can sing. He started with a bunch of the songs requiring him to do a falsetto, then he busted out My Love, which you'll note from above was rejigged to both eliminate the rap and introduce a rocking guitar solo. And yes, he did the dance from the video. Justin ended his show after 2.5 hours (with a 15 minute intermission), with an acoustic song, and it sounded fabulous. Seriously, the guy has been graced by God. Below is a short clip of him singing Gone, one of the two *NSYNC songs I have downloaded (oh, and if he had only sung "Girlfriend", my life would have been nowhere near complete, but closer).

Next, the dancing: I still have sweaty thighs. My god, that man can move. It looks like he's floating sometimes, he moves so smoothly. He made his professional dancers look shabby, for the love of god. I was very jealous of the three female dancers who got to grab his butt periodically. I don't know why he hates the fourth female dancer, but she didn't get to touch the buns o'steel. Maybe he was saving that for me? :o)

Seriously though, it felt like I was watching a music video, but on a stage, and without a whole lot of exploitation of women. Wowsa. Justin rejigged some of his songs so he could pitch the mic and dance with his peeps. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.

Next, the crowd: holy pumped up, people. Stop screaming! No seriously? STOP SCREAMING!!! Which is not to say that I didn't holler a little myself, but there was no mad insane "OHMYGODJUSTINILOVEYOUMARRYMEHAPPYBIRTHDAY
CANIHAVEYOURBABYPLEASE!!!". Not from me, at least! (I swear!) I love that the crowd was enthusiastic though. THey were right into it, and I think the concert was better because of it.

Finally, P!nk. Loved her. Missed the first song, but then she sang like nine songs that I knew, and only one or two that I didn't. She fricking rocks. No really? Loved her. Loved the music selection, loved Dear Mr President, loved the crazy cirque de soleil-style trapeze gymnastiquey thing she did with her final song. I've embedded her singing "Stupid Girl", which was awesome. Short sidenote about Pink: she is tiny, like maybe a size 2 - didn't you think, compared to the other poptarts that are out there, that she was like at least a size 6 or 8? Yeah, not so much. And so very confident about her body. Loved her part of the show - she's definitely more than an opening act.

On the whole, three thumbs up. I totally wish I could go again tomorrow night. On a relative scale of concerts in my life, this one came very close to the 1993 U2 Achtung Baby/Zoo TV concerts. If only JT had sung "Running to Stand Still" (my alltime favourite song), this one would have topped U2. Seriously? Yes, seriously.

Way to go Justin. You are truly worthy of secret husband status.

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[ READER COMMENTS ]

1. 1

   allexandra said:

   i love jt so much and thats why i like youre site..i went to see that show but i was a bit further so i didnt see as well...but if you guys could add more videos it would be amazing...its rly good tho...keep it up ;) -alexe

   Posted at 05:26 PM, on February 3 2007

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